Red Wings Russian Five Icon Ready For Coaching Debut

During his time as a member of the Detroit Red Wings Russian Five, Vyacheslav Kozlov was earning a reputation as someone who was an opportunistic scorer.

A different type of opportunity recently came knocking for Kozlov and in true Don Corleone fashion, it was an offer he felt he couldn’t refuse.

Kozlov is the new coach of Sochi HC in Russia’s KHL.

HC Sochi will be Vyacheslav Kozlov's head coaching debut in the KHL. pic.twitter.com/XefvtXwwHe

— KHL (@khl_eng) June 3, 2025

“I always dreamed of being a (KHL) head coach,” Kozlov told Russian website Sport Express. “As soon as the option in Sochi appeared, I thought about everything, talked to my friends, family, loved ones and decided that now was the time.”

In his previous chance to run his own show with Khimik in the lower divisions of Russian hockey, Kozlov’s team was known for its smothering defensive system. While admitting he’d rather win a game 1-0 than 6-5, Kozlov doesn’t believe he can succeed in Russia’s top hockey league by playing a similar style of game.

“You need to play the right hockey,” Kozlov said. “I don’t like the term ‘attacking hockey,’ which is very fashionable these days. If you have the puck, you can play in an attacking style, but if you don’t have the puck, you need to defend.

“For me, playing both defense and attack is a priority. When you don’t have the puck, you have to take it away. Without possession of the puck, you can’t attack.”

Kozlov Won’t Invoke His Red Wings Exploits

There’s one thing that Kozlov insists he won’t do with his young players. That would be to play the ‘do you know who I am’ game. He won’t be invoking any memories of his two Stanley Cup wins with the Red Wings. He’ll not be discussing his time skating amidst that famous Russian Five among legends of Russian hockey to try and impress his charges.

On this day in 1995, Slava Kozlov scored the double. overtime winner in Game 5 to send the @DetroitRedWings to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1966 #Hockey365 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/m0G4KArmuG

— Mike Commito (@mikecommito) June 11, 2025

“My experience has become outdated and unnecessary now,” Kozlov said. “The game has become much faster. Yes, some moments, probably at the end or individually, can be suggested.

“Hockey has changed since I played.”